Results 36,801-36,820 of 46,723 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (13 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 171 and 172 together. There are a number of key strategies in place at all levels to ensure we meet existing and future skills demands, including in the area of medical science. These include policies designed to ensure a pipeline of suitably qualified science and technical graduates, and initiatives to equip young people and the working population more...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (13 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: A vibrant enterprise sector is a prerequisite for a strong, advanced economy, and a strong economy in turn provides the foundation for a progressive, sustainable and inclusive society. The enterprise sector provides quality employment which is important for our standard of living and inclusivity. The enterprise sector is hugely important in driving innovation in this country. An estimated 75%...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (13 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: The challenge to deliver adequate numbers of suitably qualified academic and technical graduates to meet the demands of the country is a fundamental focus for the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. The higher and further education sectors responded in an agile fashion to the challenges of Covid-19 and continuity for the most part was maintained...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (13 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: The further and higher education sectors have a number of key strategies in place at all levels to ensure that the educational opportunities being offered specifically target the areas of key demand in the economy. These include policies designed to ensure a pipeline of suitably qualified higher education graduates and apprentices, and initiatives to equip young people and the working...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Properties (14 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: The acquisition of Government offices is the responsibility of Property Management Services in the Office of Public Works, which acts as an agent for all Government Departments. I can confirm for the Deputy that my Department does not own or manage any buildings in Blanchardstown village, Dublin 15.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (14 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: Marino Institute of Education is a private charitable trust under the co-trusteeship of the European Province of the Congregation of Christian Brothers and Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin offering a range of educational programmes including primary initial teacher education (ITE), early childhood education and further education. The Department of Education currently funds...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Contracts (20 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science has not not held any meetings or conducted correspondence or engaged the services of Kinzen Limited, previously known as Neva Labs.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (20 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: Work on the development of the next National Access Plan (NAP) 2022 - 2026 is currently underway. The consultation process, which closed on 18th June 2021, invited all interested parties to make their views known on this matter and other matters related to access to higher education particularly for groups who are underrepresented in the higher education population.  One-to-one...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (20 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available.  We are working on compiling a response to the question raised and we will revert to the Deputy in due course.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (20 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: The information requested by the Deputy is not held by my Department. I understand that this is a very difficult time for students seeking to secure accommodation. The Government recognises this as a critical issue.  Approximately 40% of students who rent accommodation do so in purpose built student accommodation, with 60% in the wider private rental market. Accommodation shortages in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (20 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: I understand that this is a very difficult time for students seeking to secure accommodation. The Government recognises this as a critical issue.  Fundamentally the challenge in one of supply and as a country, we need to increase the supply of all types of housing and accommodation, including student accommodation. That is why the Government has launched Housing for All, led by the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Third Level Education (20 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: Our higher education institutions have a responsibility to their students and staff to foster a campus culture that is clear in the condemnation of unwanted and unacceptable behaviours, which act as barriers to their safety and their active participation in college life. Over €400,000 has been provided to our Higher Education Institutions to fund a number of initiatives. In addition,...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Research Funding (20 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: The attached table details the European Research Council (ERC) grant funding information for successful Irish applicants for the years 2012-2020.  ERC awards are made under the European Commission's Research & Innovation Framework Programmes. In total, 127 projects were awarded ERC grant funding from 2012-2020. A total of €196 million was awarded in this time period....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Grant Payments (21 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: In Budget 2022 I secured €15 million to enhance our 2022 student grant scheme by increasing all maintenance grant payments (including the special rate of grant) by €200 per year thus benefitting circa 62,000 Students; expanding the income threshold by €1000 (with the exception of the special rate of grant) and extending the qualifying distance for the higher...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Programmes (21 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: As part of Budget 2022, €22 million is being provided for the Green Skills Action programme.  This programme focuses on providing training to address climate and low carbon economy issues and is being funded under the SOLAS Recovery Skills Response Programme under Ireland’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan. The Programme includes a focus on provision in Near Zero...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Funding (21 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: The €181m outlined under NRRP Priority 3 includes: 1. SOLAS skills - €114m 2. Technological University Transformation Fund ("TUTF") - €40m, and 3. The Department of Social Protection ("DSP") Work Place Experience Programme - €27m. For the SOLAS Skills – the €114m includes Programme 2021 2022 Total ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Funding (21 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: The National Grand Challenges Programme is a €71.6M programme running until the end of 2026 which is included in Ireland’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan(funded under the EU Recovery and Resilience facility).The programme will incentivise and facilitate researchers and innovators to employ interdisciplinary RD&I approaches to tackle national and global societal...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Technological Universities (21 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: The TU Transformation Fund (TUTF) is a €90 million fund (over 3 years), announced by government in Budget 2020, to assist the development and progression of TUs. The Fund was introduced in response to a recommendation in the report of the TU Research Network (TURN), Connectedness and Collaboration enabled by Connectivity (2019), which highlighted the importance of Exchequer investment...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (21 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: The Apprenticeship Incentivisation Scheme was established to ensure that apprenticeship will play a key part in supporting economic recovery following COVID-19. It comprises a €2,000 payment when employers register a new apprentice, followed by an additional €1,000 payment one year later where that apprentice is retained.  The scheme has supported the continued recruitment...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Strategies (21 Oct 2021)

Simon Harris: I was delighted to launch the Adult Literacy for Life Strategy on International Literacy Day, 8th September. This is a 10 year adult literacy, numeracy and digital literacy strategy which takes a whole of Government action orientated approach.  It is underpinned by one simple vision, to create an Ireland where every adult has the necessary literacy, numeracy and digital literacy to fully...